energy understand it, control it and save 1. in this workshop... victorian energy system reading...
TRANSCRIPT
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Energy
Understand it, Control it and Save
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In this workshop...
• Victorian Energy System• Reading Bills • Concessions• Kilo-what? • Smart Meters• Flexible Pricing• Choosing a better electricity deal• Door Knocking & Solving Problems• Saving Energy
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Victorian Energy System
Who’s who?
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Victorian Energy System
DistributorsTalk them about:
• Power interruptions
• Emergencies
• Meter issues
• Special electricity supply needs
(like a life support machine)
Talk to them about:
• bills
• getting connected
• energy deals
• moving house
• getting concessions
• problems or complaints
Retailers
Victorian Energy System
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Reading Bills
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Reading Bills
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Concessions & Grants
The 2 main concessionshelp households spending
$2,000 on gas and electricity save around $350 a year
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Concessions & Grants
• 17.5% off electricity billsAnnual Electricity Concession
• 17.5% off winter gas bills
Winter Gas Concession (1 May to 31 October)
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Concessions & Grants• Service to Property Charge Concession
• Non-Mains Energy Concession
• Medical Cooling Concession
• Controlled Load Electricity Concession
• Life Support Concession
• Electricity Transfer Fee Waiver
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Concessions & Grants
• Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521, or
• The company that sends your bills
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Concessions & Grants
Check that concessions are recorded on every bill
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Concessions & Grants
Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS)
Provides up to $500 each for:
• Electricity
• Gas
• and water
If you have had financial hardship recently contact the company that sends your bill and ask about URGS
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kilo-What?
1000 metres = 1 kilometre or 1km
1000 Watts = 1 kiloWatt or 1kW
If you use 1kW for 1 hour it means you’ve used 1kWh of electricity
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kiloWatts
1 hour = 2000Wh 2 hours = 4000Wh 3 hours = 6000Wh4 hours = ??
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kiloWatts
Energy Rating Labels tell you how much electricity is used
505 kWh per year
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Smart Meters
The basics...
• Record electricity use every 30 minutes
• send this information to the distribution company
• are owned by the distribution company, not the household
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Smart Meters
Common questions
• ‘How much do smart meters cost?’
• ‘Are they safe?’
• ‘How do I know my information will be kept private?’
• ‘Do I have to have one?’
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In-Home Displays & Web Portals
In home displays (IHDs)
• Show you how much electricity is used now
• You need a smart meter
• Cost around $50 - $300
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In-Home Displays & Web PortalsEnergy Web portals
• Show how you use electricity
• Help to budget for bills
• Give tips and help save electricity
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Flexible Pricing
Flat pricing - a traditional electricity bill
‘daily supply charge’ – a set amount for each day
a ‘usage charge’ – a charge for the amount of electricity used
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Flexible Pricing
Flexible pricing time periods
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Flexible Pricing
The million dollar question - who can save with flexible pricing?
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Break...
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/thecheckout/clips/
Choosing a Good Deal
Households can save up to
$715 - $920 a year on electricityby switching from the worst to the best
offer – St Vincent de Paul
Choosing a Good Deal
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Choosing a Good DealComparing Electricity Offers –
mpp.switchon.vic.gov.au/
Households can save up to
$330 - $410 a year on gasby switching from the worst to the best
offer – St Vincent de Paul
Choosing a Good Deal
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Choosing a Good DealComparing Gas Offers- www.yourchoice.vic.gov.au/search/gas
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Choosing a Good Deal
Checking the details
Will I be ‘locked in’ to the contract?
Will the price of electricity change?
How will I be billed?
How can I pay?
Is it a flexible pricing plan?
If you like the look of a new deal:
• Call the energy company• Mention the name of the deal• Confirm you are eligible for the deal• Discuss any questions
If you are happy, the energy company will organise the rest
If you change your mind - you have a
10 day cooling off period
Choosing a Good Deal
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Door Knocking
You have rights
You can ask them to leave and they must:
• Go immediately
• Not return for 30 days
You can change your mind if you buy something:
• You have a 10 day cooling off period
• You can shop around during this time
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Door Knocking
Door to door sales people cannot visit:
• On Sundays
• Public Holidays
• Before 9am or after 6pm Monday- Friday
• Before 9am or after 5pm on Saturday
• If you display a Do Not Knock sign
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Payment Difficulty
Ask for the Hardship Team:
• Affordable plans
• Referrals to free financial counsellors
• Energy saving advice
• Applying concessions and grants
Can I speak to your hardship team?
I’m in financial hardship and can’t afford to pay my bill now. Can you suggest a more affordable amount?
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Solving Problems
Step 1 – try to work it out with the company
• Call the company. Explain the issue and ask how it can be fixed
• Write down information about the call
• Remember - if you’re not comfortable you can ask a friend, relative or community worker to talk for you
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Solving Problems
Step 2 – call the Energy and Water Ombudsman
1800 500 509
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Saving EnergyEnergy cost in a typical Victorian
household
www.switchon.vic.gov.au
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159 days below 18oC
- Melbourne has more cold days than hot
Saving Energy
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Top tips - Heating
• Don’t pay for heating you don’t need - heat your rooms to around 20oC
• Keep the heat you pay for inside the home – seal draughts and cover windows
• Don’t pay to heat rooms you’re not using - close doors to unused rooms
• Turn your heater off overnight or when going out
Saving Energy
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35 days of 30oC or above
- Melbourne is also quite hot!
Saving Energy
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Top tips - Cooling
• Use low cost cooling – use a fan
• Keep your house cool naturally – shade windows on the outside of the glass
• Don’t pay for cooling you don’t need - cool rooms to around 26oC
• Turn your air-conditioner off when going out
Saving Energy
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Hot water is one of the areas where most energy
is used
Saving Energy
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Top tips – Hot Water
• Use a water saving shower head
• Try to keep your showers to around 5 minutes or less
• Wash your clothes in cold water
Saving Energy
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Fridges use about 18% of all electricity in the house
Saving Energy
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Top tips – Fridge & Freezers
• Food stays fresh in a fridge at 3 to 5oC, colder temperatures cost more
• Food stays fresh in a freezer at -15oC to -18oC
• Fridges and freezers will cost less if kept cool away from the sun or heaters and ventilated
• Turn off second fridges or freezers when you don’t need them
Saving Energy
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Energy Saving Quiz
1. Is it cheaper to turn a heater off or leave it running while you’re out?
– it is always cheaper to turn a heater off when leaving as you get charged for how long you use appliances2. On a hot day, is it better to close your curtains or put some shading
up outside?– it is much better to put shading up
outside3. Which is cheaper a fan or an air-conditioner?
– a fan is about 20 to 40 times cheaper
4. Is it cheaper to wash clothes in warm or cold water? – washing clothes in cold water is cheaper
5. What temperature is best to keep food fresh in a fridge?
– between 3oC and 5oC
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Energy Saving Quiz
6. How much energy does heating and cooling use in the average house? Is it 10%, 25%, or 40%? – 40% of the energy you use goes towards heating
and cooling
7. What temperature is recommended for heating your home?
– 20oC or whatever is comfortable. Remember every 1oC extra costs more!
8. What is best to do with 2 half full fridges?
– fill one up fully and turn the other one off until you need it
9. What is a good time to aim for to save energy in the shower?
– around 5 minutes or less
10. Why seal draughts when the gaps are usually so small?– when added together the gaps are big and cause you
to loose warm air that you’ve paid for
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Questions?